Swinging cylinder and trigger-lock foyr revolvers



' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

D. B. WESSON. SWINGING GYLINDER AND TRIGGER LOOK FOR REVOLVEBS.

No. 517,152. Patented Mar. 27, 1894 fiweielj. 2

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

D. B. WESSON. I SWINGING CYLINDER AND PRIGGEB. LOCK FOR REVOLVERS. No. 517,152. J Patented Mar 27, 1894.

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UNrTED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

DANIEL B. WESSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, .MASSAOHUSETTS.

swmelne' CYLINDER Ann "ratedsis-tomeFor:RsvdLvER-s.

, SPECIFICATION forming part a Letters Patent No. 517,152, dated March 27,1894.

' Application filed December 7, 1898. Serial No. 492,964. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I.

1 Be it known that I, DANIEL B.WEsSON,acitizen :of the United States, residing at Springfleld, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and usetherefrom and for reloading the cylinder; and the invention consists in certain details of construction in pistols of this class all as hereinafter fully described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly I in section, of'a revolving fire-arm embodymg my improvements, the barrel thereof being shown broken-0E, and the cylinder in about the outwardly swung position illustrated in Fig.2. Fig. 1 is a'perspective view of parts hereinafter described. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views from the rear on line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 2 showing partly in full, and partly in dotted lines, the form of that part of the cylinder-yoke intermediate of its two arms, and the cyli nder'swung out of the pistol-frame, and Fig.3 showing the cylinder within said frame. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the yoke on which the cylinder issup ported, and of the trigger which is shown in this figure in the position opposite the ex tremity of the lower arm of said yoke which it must assume when the cylinder is not in firing position, this figure also showing a com,-

bined yoke-locking and cam-pin bywhioh the cylinder yokeis retained in position-in'the frame of the arm and by which a. movable part on said arm is actuated; this figure showing a section of the inner end ofsaid pin in operative position in an annular groove around said lower arm. Fig. 5 is a perspec tive view of a portion of' said yoke and the lower arm thereof, and of the trigger at the extremity of said' arm. Asection of said retaining pin is shown in this figure in engagement with the annular groove around said tending beneath the cylinder thereof; this figure showing the trigger in side elevation uncovered and hung to. said 'frame part and the said locking and cam-pin in end eler'fia tion in said frame part and its retaining. s crew. In thisfigure the positionof thelowe'r arm of the cylinder-yoke within the said part of the frame of the arm is indicated in dotted lines; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the revolving fire-arm partly in section, the barrel thereof being shown broken 0%. This figureillustrates certain improvements in mechanism for operating the cartridge shell ejector combined with the cylinder retaining piston whereby the cylinder is sectiredin firing position in the arm; Fig. 9is a similar view of, the cylinder. of the arm and of the ejector devices shown in Fig. 8, but showin'gthe latter in difierent position and showing thelower portion of the'cylinder yoke inside elevation and its upper portion in longitudinal section,

the upper armpf said yokebeing shown in.

positionwithin said cylinder. Fig. 10 is afront end elevation of the cylinder yoke and of thearm, '10, thereon; Fig. '11 is an elevation of therear end of thecylin'der. illustrates amodification of the construction of the ejector 'devices'shown' in Figs. 8 and 9;

- The particular-improvements in revolvers. herein shown and described relate to'an.improved construction 'ofsafetyd'evices which so act as to prevent the armfrombeing fired unless the cylinder. isin propenfiringposition in front'of the recoil plate thereof and toan improved construction o fthe cylinder yoke'-. frame,thecylinder-pin, and the ejector oper atingdevices. I

. In the'di'awin'gs, in Fig. 1 thereof, are shown in side elevation,--the hammer, 4, the trigger,-

3, and theusual intermediate mechanism in an-arm of. this class which is known as a self- ,cockingrevolver. 'The said trigger is con- :95. -structed with a forwardly extending'projec tion, 2, more distinctly illustrated in Figs. 4: l

- to 7, inclusive, extending toward the rear'end of the lower arm, 5, of the cylinder yokeframe, A. The general frame of the arm is indicated by B, and the barrel by C. The trigger, 3, is pivoted to said frame, B, at 2, and that portion of the latter-named frame, which extendsforwardly from where the trigger is pivoted, and under thecylinder, is perforated longitudinally as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, said perforation being also indicated by dotted lines in Figs. ,7' and 8. 'The said longitudinally perforated portion of the frame, B, is perforated transversely of its length to permit of fixing therein a. pin, 6, by means of a screw, 7, therebeside, as shown in Fig.8 and elsewhere, and is united with that portion of the same frame which extends over the cyl inder, 8, of the arm by that part of said frame which is indicated by y, Fig. 2, this latternamed part being'broken away in Fig. 1 to better show a part of the cylinder yoke-frame below describedl The part, 9, of the yokeframe, A, is made to couformin shape-to that of one side of-the said part, y, of the main frame, B, so. that when the cylinder, 8, is swung to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8, or to a firing one, the united parts, 9 and y, present a proper front end-view of'the frame part of the pistol underthe barrel. A stop-projection, a, is made on the yoke frame part, 9, which engages with the part, y, offthe main frame, B, when the cylinder is swung outwardly, as in Fig. 2, to liinit said swinging motion. frame, A, consists of a tubular arm, 10, the said lower arm, 5, and an intermediate yokepiece, 9, to which said arms, 5 and 10, are rigidly fixed byone'end as shown in Fig. i. The upper tubular arm, 10, of the cylinder yokeframe serves the purpose of the part in revolvers which is ordinarily termed the basepin for upon said arm, 10, the cylinder reo ves and is supported. The lower arm, 5,

of said yoke-frame extends from its junction with the part, 9, thereof a certain distance, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, of plain cylindrical form and has an annular groove,-c, formed therein. half-round form in end-view, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, leaving on said arm an ofiset, 1).,

From said annular groove, c,around said arm to said ,oifset, a longitudinal groove, (1, is

formed which is adapted to receive the shank of a safety-slide, e, which shank is of a circular form in cross section corresponding with said extremity, as shown in Fig. 5.

The said cylinder yoke- The extremity of said arm,-5, is of the arm, 5. The said slide, by means hereinafter described, is given a longitudinal movement on the yoke-arm, 5, which movement is induced by the aforesaid swinging movement of the cylinder, 8, and said head is thus moved on said offset, 1'), toward and from said half-round end of said arm, 5, and at times according to the position of the cylinder, S, rests fixedly flush with the said halfround extremity of arm, 5, as shown in Fig. 4, or in a position back of, or'retired from, The said movement of the safety-slide, e, whereby the head, 1;, is brought to the end of arm, 5, is etfected when said arm is given a rolling motion by the outwardly swinging movement of the cylinder, 8, by the engagement of the cam-shaped end, 0, of the slide with the end of said pin, 6, which is secured'inthe frame of the arm and projects into the said annular groove, 0, in the-arm,'5. Said pin, while thus serving by its projection into said annular groove, 0, to attach the said yoke-frame to the arm, also serves as a fixed abutment on the arm frame against which the end of said slide moves and is thereby caused to have a sliding movement on said arm, 5. The position of the cylinder, 8, when the head, '1), is brought to said flush position, shown in Fig. 4, is that illustrated in Fig. 2, or swung outwardly from the frame of the arm for the purpose of ejecting shells and reloading the cylinder and the engagement of the inner end of the slide, a, with the pin, 6,-is such that the said slide is prevented from taking the retired position shown in Fig.5 until the cyl- IOC indershall have been brought to a complete firin osition within the frame of the arm 5, shall have been rolled from the position shown in Fig. t to that shown in Fig. 5 by said movement of the cylinder, thereby so changingthe relat-ive'position of the cam-end of theslide to the pin, 6, that the slide is free to recede on the arm, 5, and'permit its head, Q), to occupy the position shown in Fig. 5.

as shown in Fig. 8, and the cylinder-yoke arm, 7

The purpose of the above described construction and operation of the arm,-5, of the cylinder-yoke, A,and of the safety-slide thereonis to provide a part on said arm opposite the trigger which shall have a movement toward and from the latter, as described, and which, when moved toward the trigger, shall be thereso rigidly heldand in such proximity to an adjoining part of the trigger that the latter can not be operated to fire the arm while the cylinder thereon is not in firing po shown in Fig. 5, the trigger may {mtg freely I forward when pulled -for firing impinging against the head of the safety-slides, and moving it freely on the arm, 5; but that when the cylinder is swung laterally out of a firing position, like, or similar to that shown in Fig. 2 and thereby rolling the yoke-arm, 5, and the safety-slide, e, to the positions shown in Fig.

thebarrel,

4 illustrates thehormal position of the trigger when the hammer is not cooked, and

Fig.5 the position of the trigger when drawn back to self-cockthe hammerand fire the arm.

portof the pistol, or base-pinfias ordinarily called, and the cylinder is suitably bored from its forward end rearwardly partly through the same,-of suitable diameter to receive said arm,

ascleariyshown in Figs- 9, and 12, and from the base of said peiterationwhich receives the arm, 10, a perforatidn of reduced diameter is made,'tlirough which the rear end of the Referring now to the e eotor construction illustratedinFigs. 8 and 9,-the tubular ejector-piston, h, is located withinsaid tubular arm, 10, and extends from thence through and projects beyond the rear endef the cylinder, and the ejector spider, --g,is secured thereto, preferably by screwing it thereon. The said pistomhg has a tubular extension, h, ofreduced dianieterpassing through the part, 9, of theyohe-frame, A. p The cylinderlocking pin',f, occupies aposition within said ejector-piston, as shown in Fig. 8,+-one end extending forwardly through the extension,

h, of, said piston, and has fixed thereon the. knurled finger-piece, 11. Said ,1 ej ector piston is provided with one or"moi relongitudinal grooves, 12, (Fig. 9) with which projecting bosses, 13, of the cylinder engage so that the '1 said ejector devices and the cylinder shall turn together. .The splder,'g, is preferably] made of such. foim'as will fit the depressed conformation, 15, indicated in ifig. 11 between the cartridge chambers, "14, ofthe cylinder, 8.

That part of the said cylinder-locking pin, which projects to the rearward of the spider,

g, as shown, enters a centrally located socketin therecoil plate of the arm, thereby locking the cylinder in firing-position in the frame of the pistol, when it is swung upwardly to the po sition shown in Fig.8. That part of the said ejector piston, h, which is within the arm, 10, has an annular shoulder, 16, thereon, (see Fig. 9) and from said shoulder to its rear extremity it is of uniform diameter. Upon said last 1 named part of said piston aeoil spring, 17, is

placed, one end of whiehjabuts against said the tubulararm, 10. 'TS'aid spring'serves to.

retain said piston and the spider, g, normally in the-position in which they are shown in Fig. 8. At the inner end or said larger 01- tionbf the cylinder-locking pin, f, (whic is within the e3e'ctor piston',-h,) isanother shoulder, and a spiral spring,..18,' is placed on said pin, f,--ene end or which abuts against said last-named shoulder, and the oppositeend bears against the base of the tubularvpart or {the piston, h, which is'within said arm, 10; thus spring,'18, acts to force the pin, f, rear-. :wardlymnd hold its-rear extremity normally rin said socket in the recoil plate of the arm; {When the pin, f, is so held, the said tinger-. Epiece, 'i, bears against the forward end of the ipart, h, of thepistomh, as shown in Fig. 8.

:The above described improvements apper- As aforesaid, the tubular arm, "10, 95, theyoke-frame, A, constitutes the cylinder sup tainin g to themanipnlation of the cylinder, :8, in'swinging it laterally out of, and back t-into, the frame of the arm; and to the de- -scrlb ed ejecto r-devices,-have a more or less {conjoint action, and their operationis asfollows: To release the cylinder and swing it"lat- .erally, the finger piece, '0', is grasped and the locking-pin, f, is drawn forward out or socket in the recoil plate. 'The'oylinder is -then brought .to the, position illustrated in "Fig. 2. Upon releasing the'pin, f, spring, 18,

retnrnsit to its said .normal position. The operator then presses upon the end of the said piece, '0', moving the ejector-piston, h. and

ejector, g, rearwardly, as illustratedin Fig. 9, v

and thereby ejecting such shells as may bev Upon releasing the said in the cylinder. ejector pi ston,'spring l7 acts to return the .said eJector parts to their normal positions,- fee in Fig.8, After loading the cylinder with cartridges it is pushed into place in the frame f Of the arm, and the pin, f, by the engagement of its extremity with the surface of the re {coil pram, is caused towithdraw slightly into.

the cylinder, but when brought opposite said socket therein, the spring, 18, acts to drive its rearward end thereinto, thus automatically flocking the cylinder in its firing position.

g-vices and cyliudenlocking-pin illustrated in .Fig. 1-2, may-be substituted for those above described, it deired,-but it involves the use of springs' for actuating the iocking pin and '"retiring the ejector devices, which are hliteo cifirtain of action as are those constructed and arranged as in Figs. 8 and ;9. In Fig. 12' the locking-pin, m, has a'shonlder, n, thereon, which bears against a springs, and the latter forces said, pin into said socket in the recoil plate. The arm, 10, has a ring-nut, w, in its open end through which the ejector-piston, J, moves, which forms an abutment for one end 'ota spring, at, which (th ugh shown com- .pressed in saidlast-named hgure) acts against a shoulder, .10, on said piston to move the lat'-,

ter and. the pin, m, 'into the cylinder. The, said ehoelder lcghnpinges against said shoal.

The modified construction of the ejector dedei, n, on the locking-pin, m. The manipulation of the parts-in said modified. construction is substantially the same as that decribed relative to the construction shown in Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecn're" by Letters Patent, is- 1. The combination with the cylinder of a revolving fire arm, of a yokeframe having an arm on which said cylinder is supported and a second arm supported in the frame of the fire-arm and extending near the trigger thereof, a safety piece in proximity to said second arm and having movement therewith, toward and from said trigger, and an abutment in the frame against which said safetypiece is Fing with said abutment, and a head on its borne and thereby moved,all substantially described.

thereof, and having a rolling motion induced bythe movement of said cylinder laterally, a safety-slide. having a shank with a camshaped extremity and a head on its-oppositeend ill-proximity to the end of said second arm,, said slide having a longitudinal move- I which is movable laterally, a yoke-frame havinga tubular arm on which said cylinder ro- .tates,- the combination with said'frame and arm, of a tubular ejector-piston within said tubular arm extending through the rear end -ment on said last named' arm toward and from the trigger of thearm, and a fixed abutment in the frame of the fire arm against which said cam-shaped end of said slide. impinges and whereby it is moved, substantially as described.

3. In a; revolving firearm-the cylinder of which is movable laterally, a yoke-frame-having an arm: on which said cylinder is supported, and a second arm supported in the frame of the fire-arm and terminating near the trigger thereof and having a rolling motion induced by'the movement of said cylinder laterally, asafety-slide having a shank with a cam shaped extremity and a head on its opposite end in proximity'to the-end of said vsecond arm, said slide havingra longitudinal movement on said last-named arm toward and from the trigger'of the arm, afi'xed abutment in the frame'of the fire-arm against which said cam-shaped end of said slide impinges to be moved thereby in one direction, combined with: the trigger located opposite the head of said slide and in engaging prox imity thereto, substantially as set forth.

4. A yoke-frame for a revolving fire-arm having an arm on which the cylinder is sup ported, and a second arm entering, and havi'n'ga rolling motion-in the frame of the arm under the said cylinder, and having an annular groove therein, and a longitudinal groove extending from said annular groove to the extremity of the arm, combined'- with a safetyslide having a shank engaging insaid longitudinal groove having a cam-shaped end and a head on its opposite end in proximity to the trigger, and a fixed abntmentin the frame of 2;v Thecombinatio'n With'the cylinder 02 a described.

the fire-arm engaging in said annular groove, and with which the cam-shaped extremity of said slide engages to be actuated thereby,

"the trigger thereof and having a rolling mbtion induced by the movement of said cylins der laterally, an annular groove surrounding the same, and an ofiset thereon producing an extremity of half-round form,a fixed abutment in the frame of the arm engaging in said annular groove, a safety-slide having a shank with a cam-shaped extremity engagopposite end of semi-dislr'-form in proximity to the end-of said second',arm ,said slide havging alongitudinal movement on said lastnamed arm, induced by the said "rollin g movement of said arm, whereby the head of said i slide is given a movement on said half-round {portion of" said second arm toward the exf tremity thereof, combined with the trigger located opposite the head of said slide and inengagingprox-imity thereto, substantially asset fortln i 6. In revolving fire-arms, the cylinder of of the cylinder and forwardly throughsaid yoke-frame, and having-the extractor-spider thereon and a spring engaging therewith and with the interior 011 the cylinder acting to move said spider against the end of said cylinder, a cylinder-locking-pin witlr in said piston and projecting beyond its forward extremity and rearwardly through said spider and a spring thereon acting to move said locking-pinagainst the recoil-plate of the arm-and engage it therewith, substan tially as set forth.

7. The combination with the cylinder of a revolving fire-arm and the yoke-frame therepi'ston carrying a cartridge ejecting spider 'onone end, and a centrally located cylinderlockingfpin having a longitudinal movement ,within said piston, substantially as set forth,

8. In a revolving fire-arm, the cylinder, the side swinging yoke supported in the frame and supporting said cylinder, the trigger, and a separate safety piece in the frame in position to be actuated by said yoke, and to act as a trigger stop when the cylinder is in un-' safe position, all combined substantially as DANIEL B. WESSON,

Witnesses:

H. A. CHAPIN, WM. S. BELLoWs.

tr g

. for omwhich it swings laterally, of an ejector- 

